Detachable tub leg



Aug. 13, 1940.

N. J; HEARD DETACHABLE TUB LEG Filed May 31, 1938 gwuc/wkyo worrz's Jflena-dz.

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PATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE TUB LEG Norris J. Heard, Hazlehurst, Miss. Application Ma 31, 1938,- Serial No.21 0,981

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in supports for wash-tubs and similarvessels, its main characteristic being a leg which is capable of easy attachment and detachment. Actually a set of three wooden or metal legs is used for supporting the tub, although it is conceivable that under some circumstances four legs might be used.

This, however, is immaterial as is also the lo' particular use of the leg in supporting tubs and similar vessels. Inasmuch'as the most common use of the leg is its attachment to a wash-tub, the description is thus confined merely for the purpose of convenience.

5 It is a more or less common practice to set a wash-tub on a bench, box or the like, but it rarely occurs that either one of the two is of the proper height for the convenient use of the worker. There is also the ever-present possibility 20 of the tub being shoved off of the bench or of the box top falling over. An accident such as this would, obviously, seriously delay the worker.

The instant tub leg is so constructed that it is readily applied to the tub, and when so applied 25 is certain to remain in place and provide a stable 'and reliable foundation. With these statements in mind the following objects of the invention can be readily understood.

First, to provide a tub leg which has means to 30 grip both the rim and bottom flange of the tub, the Weight of the contents of the tub being largely responsible for causing a gripping action upon its bottom flange.

Second, to'provide a tub leg having rim-grip- 35 ping means which is flanged so as to partly embrace the sides of the leg and therefore both keep the gripping means in place and guide it in its limited movement.

Third, to provide a novel and simple retain- 40 ing means for the bottom gripping means.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a 45 wash tub, showing one of the detachable legs applied.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tub-leg, the tub being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a detail view illustrating the wedg- 50 ing action of the bottom flange-gripping means.

Figure 4 is a detail cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a cross section takenon the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

55 Inasmuch as each leg of the set is the same in 2 a short distance above the thick region 3.

construction as the others, this description is confined to one leg. The tub leg is generally designated I. :It comprises a bar of wood or metal, wood usually being chosen. The front side '2 of the leg is level'or straight from end to end. Said leg is thickest in the region 3 at a place medially of its ends, and from there the back or inside 4 tapers toward each end, as des ignated at 5, 6. The so-called taper 5 actually presents a slanting surface which matches the pitch of the tub I. I

Inasmuch as the pitch of the wash tub is generally a fixed characteristic, the particular slant of the surface 5 will correctly suit practically all wash tubs so that when the leg is applied (Fig. 2) it will stand perfectly erect or approximately so with respect to the floor. The taper 6 is adopted mainly for the purpose of the appearance which it affords the leg. The edges of the leg in its tapered section 6 are chamfered at 8. A transverse groove 9 is cutinto the front side The bight ID of what has been referred to as a bottom gripping means occupies said groove. Said means comprises a double-hook H, the shanks [2 of which lie loosely against/the leg E3. The hook is capable of being swung in a complete circle if need be, the groove 9 and bight ll] comprising a hinge.

The hook ends l3 are formed on a forward pitch (Fig. 3). Said forward pitch is important from the standpoint of its producing a wedge action which insures a firm grip on the tub 1. Reference is had to Fig. 3 for an understanding of this principle. The natural gravitation of the tub I is in the direction of the arrow at. The natural direction of swinging of the hook i l is in the direction ofthe arrow b. Inasmuch as the hook ends l3 will close in upon the adjacent surface 5 of the leg I as the hook swings down- Wardly, it follows that the same closing-in function of the hook ends will produce a binding and clamping action against the flange M of the tub in the direction of the arrow 0. Therefore, when the tub is once emplaced with its flange M behind the hook ends l3, the otherwise freely swingable hook will be restricted and stopped in its motion by the jamming of the flange I l against the leg by the gravitation of the tub I against the hook and the resulting binding action of the hook ends against the flange.

A simple plate l5 serves as a retainer of the hook in the groove 9. This plate is simply tacked on at I6. It can comprise a piece of light material because the pressure imposed upon the hook is directed to the bottom of the groove 9 and not to the retainer plate.

Gripping means I'I comprises one of the two securing elements of the leg to the tub I, the other element comprising the previously described hook I I. Said gripping means consists of a metal plate I8 which is curled in one direction at I9 and bent in the opposite direction at 29. The curl I9 provides a hook which is engaged with the beaded rim 2i of the tub. The bend 20 provides a flange to which one end of a strong spring 22 is secured. The other end of this spring is. anchored at 23 to the leg I.

Side flanges 24 on the plate I8 provide guides which insure keeping the gripping means in place on the leg I when said means is engaged with the rim 2 I. These flanges further insure the retention of the gripping means when the latter is subject to a slight silding motion on the leg. When removing the leg from the tub it is possible to push upwards on the flange 20 sufiiciently far to disengage the hook I9. At this time it is desirable not to have the gripping means fly off to one side, a possibility which is present because of the strength of the spring 22. The flanges 24 keep the plate I8 in place so that the gripping means can be let down without danger of injury to the operator.

Another feature of the tub leg comprises the recess 25. This recess is formed by cutting into the surface 5. Its purpose is to make room for a handle of the tub (not shown) should it ever happen that the leg is afiixed to the tub directly over one of the handles.

The mode of application of the tub leg is readily understood. The tub "I and leg I are brought together by fitting the flange I4 behind the hook ends I3. Even if this should be done with the tub lying upon its side a fairly firm connection is established because of the natural binding action of the hook ends I3 due to their approach toward the surface when swung downwardly.

The gripping means I! is carried up until the hook I9 can be engaged with the rim 2I. This is done against the tension of the spring 22, and this'pull of the spring is an initial contribution toward the gripping function of the hook ends I3 against the flange I4. When the tub is stood upon its legs, the weight of the tub and its contents causes a completion of the gripping action of the hooks.

I claim:

A leg having a taper on one end to match the slant of a tub side, gripping means for the rim of the tub consisting 'of a plate having an outwardly directed flange on its lower end and an inwardly curled hook on its upper end, said hook being engageable with the rim, said plate also having side flanges situated medially of said lower flange and upper hook .and being directed inwardly to engage the sides of the leg, and a spring having one end attached to the outwardly directed flange and having its other end anchored to the leg, said spring constituting the sole connection of the plate to the leg.

NORRIS J. HEARD. 

